Lagos Increases Health Workers Hazard Allowance

The Lagos State Government has increased the hazard allowance of health workers in the state to N25,000.

This was contained in a circular dated April 21 and issued by the state’s Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola.

This is coming barely 24 hours after Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu told journalists at a media briefing that no health worker at the frontline of COVID-19 response earned N5,000 as hazard allowance since coronavirus was recorded in the state.

When asked what the state was doing to increase health workers’ N5000 hazard allowance in the state, the governor said,

“It is not true. There is nobody that is in our frontline and COVID-19 list that has earned anything around N5,000. The least person could have probably earned N20,000. In fact, we have even doubled that.”

The circular with reference number Ref. No: CIR/HOS/’20/Vol.1/045 read, “In appreciation of the dedication of all health officers in Lagos State to the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, as well as their daily hazardous exposure to the highly contagious disease, it is hereby notified for general information that Mr. Governor has approved the increment of Hazard Allowance for all Health Officers in Lagos State from N5,000 to N25,000 for the month of April 2020.

“The gesture is an incentive to all Health Officers in the State, as Frontline Responders in the fight against the Pandemic. It is believed that the Officers would reciprocate same with more doggedness and enthusiasm towards duty in all Health facilities State-wide.